Adolescent Treatment Programs Reduce Drug Abuse, Produce Other Improvements

In the first large-scale study designed to evaluate drug abuse treatment outcomes among adolescents in age-specific treatment programs, NIDA-supported researchers have found that longer stays in these treatment programs can effectively decrease drug and alcohol use and criminal activity as well as improve school performance and psychological adjustment.

An evaluation of more than 1,100 adolescents who received substance abuse treatment in residential, short-term inpatient, or drug-free outpatient programs found improvement in rates of drug use and social behavior. Some 53 percent of those treated met or exceeded the minimum recommended stay in treatment.

The study, part of NIDA's ongoing Drug Abuse Treatment Outcome Studies for Adolescents (DATOS-A), analyzed data from 23 community-based adolescent treatment programs that addressed peer relationships, educational concerns, and family issues such as parent-child relationships and parental substance abuse. Successful elements of adult treatment programs, such as participation in group therapy and participation in a 12-step program, were also included in treatment plans.

Read the full article on drugabuse.gov